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ANNOUNCEMENT: Amelia Lily in American Idiot

1 May 2015

X Factor star, Amelia Lily (playing Whatsername), will star in Green Day's explosive, award-winning Broadway musical American Idiot, as it blasts into the UK for its West End premiere from the 17 July at The Arts Theatre, Leicester Square.

Running until 27 September 2015, with press night on 22 July, American Idiot – The Musical features the music of Green Day with the lyrics of its lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, and book by Billie Joe Armstrong and Michael Mayer. The musical is being directed and choreographed by Racky Plews, with sound by Chris Whybrow, design by Sara Perks and lighting by Tim Deiling. Further casting will be announced in due course.

American Idiot is the story of three boyhood friends, each searching for meaning in a post 9-11 world. Winner of two Tony Awards® and the 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot premiered at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2009, moving onto a critically acclaimed Broadway run in April 2010.

Its hit songs include “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” “21 Guns,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “Holiday” and the blockbuster title track “American Idiot” from Green Day’s 2004 Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum album. Also included are several songs from Green Day’s 2009 release “21st Century Breakdown,” and an unreleased love song, “When It’s Time.”

The producers of American Idiot – The Musical said, “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing American Idiot to the Arts Theatre this Summer and Autumn, following its very successful life on Broadway. It’s a cracking musical for fans old and new, and we have had a fantastic relationship with the Arts Theatre for years. We can’t wait to bring this musical to the heart of London”.

The musical is produced by David Hutchinson and Philip Rowntree for Sell A Door Theatre Company and Stephen McGill Productions. The Associate Producers are

American Idiot The Musical is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Limited on behalf of Music Theatre International of New York.

Amelia Lily (Whatsername) is a singer who finished third on the eighth series of The X Factor in 2011, mentored by Kelly Rowland. Her debut single, "You Bring Me Joy", was released in 2012 and reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, while her follow-up singles "Shut Up (and Give Me Whatever You Got)" and "Party Over" (both 2013) reached the top 20 and the top 40 respectively. Amelia has recently finished touring the UK as the Narrator in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. American Idiot The Musical will be Amelia’s West End debut.

She said: “I’ve wanted to do theatre since I was nine years old. It was impossible not to say yes.”

Lily added that her new role in Tony Award-winning musical American Idiot “is probably the most exciting thing that has happened to me. I think their music is amazing and it really suits me as a singer. I’m so excited I get to sing Green Day’s greatest hits.”